Best restaurants for a date in Edinburgh

This superb Scottish city offers a huge variety of restaurants and eateries, but how do you know which ones make for the best dates? Here are some of the most delicious and inviting places to eat around the city.

The Witchery

The Witchery by the Castle, Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NF
The Witchery is perched on the top of the Royal Mile, just to the left of Edinburgh Castle, in a stunning, 16th century building. This hotel and restaurant boasts some A-list celebrities as past guests, including Ewan McGregor and Catherine Zeta Jones. The menu has some classic Scottish dishes such as Angus beef, as well as lamb, game and lobster, making it one of the more indulgent and mouth-watering places for a date in Edinburgh.

The Dome

14 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PF
Dating back to 1844, the Dome provides a decadent setting to enjoy with your date. Made up of the Grill Room, the Club Room and the Garden Cafe, this is a venue with lots to offer in terms of dining. Whether its lunch, afternoon tea or an a la carte dinner you opt for, this venue could be somewhere you’ll return to on future dates both during the day and at night.

The Tower Restaurant

Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
With excellent views of Edinburgh Castle, this restaurant has its own rooftop terrace for those who are after an al fresco dining experience. The menu features a wealth of fresh seasonal ingredients and the seafood platters are a firm favourite with both celebrities and locals alike. It’s also part of the Museum of Scotland, so you and your date could enjoy a spot of history before you dine.

Maison Bleue

36/38 Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2JW
The chefs at MaisonBleue use fresh local produce to whip up a blend of North African, French and Scottish food. The restaurant itself can be found in the historic Old Town, where it blends in with its spiral staircases, stone arches and old style character. If your date is the type to be impressed by ‘rustic chic’, as the menu describes itself, this could be an ideal location for dinner dates in Edinburgh.

Mimi’s Bakehouse

63 The Shore, Edinburgh EH6 6RA
Lastly, here’s a great venue for lunch dates. This bakery, with its cute decor and array of pastries is a delightful location for a lunchtime or post-lunch Edinburgh dating experience. As the mantra on the wall says “it’s all about the cake” and the afternoon tea is a popular choice. Why not indulge in a spread of sandwiches and scones to graze on as you and your date get to know each other better? The house speciality is French Toast, and what’s more – whatever you can’t eat, you can take home for later!

For more great date ideas in Scotland's capital, visit the Edinburgh dating page